Ow! Sex Tips for Men with Back Pain

Although sex drives vary, most men enjoy engaging in sexual activity with a certain frequency, hence the plethora of sex tips available that are geared at increasing the amount of sex a man gets. But men also have a need for sex tips that address issues related to quality, not quantity of sex - such as what to do if lower back pain is a deterrent to sexual enjoyment. Penis care is clearly crucial to a guy’s sex life, but sometimes there are impediments to optimal sexual engagement that don’t directly concern the manhood itself.

Back pain

Everyone gets some kind of back pain at some point. Often it’s due to an easily-identifiable cause. A guy helps his buddies move into a new apartment and the strain makes his back ache a little for the next day or two. Or sometimes a man over-reaches for something on the top shelf and develops a little twitch in the back that causes discomfort for a while.

But many people get what might be termed more serious back pain - something that has a higher level of pain associated with it and/or that lasts for a longer period of time than a couple of days. Exact statistics are hard to come by, but one study estimates that 36% of the population at some point in their lives experiences a low back pain problem that lasts for a year or more.

And that back pain can have an impact on a man’s sex life. As many as 84% of men with low back pain say that it has a negative impact on how often (and how well) they have intercourse. Many men with low back pain also report that when they do have sex, it increases the back pain afterward.

Sex tips to help

With low back pain a common occurrence, men need to know what steps they can take to help combat this problem and still enjoy coupling. The following sex tips may help.

- Talk to the doctor. It’s good to discuss one’s back pain with a doctor and to see if they have any suggestions or warnings that need to be taken into consideration.

- Try a new position. This is a no-brainer, but many men don’t think about it. The position employed during intercourse has a huge impact on both the range and the force of motion involved in thrusting, which in turn relates to the pressure put on the back. A 2014 medical study looked at 5 sex positions and their relation to back pain in males. This study found that "doggy" style sex - in which the woman is on all fours and the man enters the vagina from behind while kneeling - is the most supportive of men with back issues. (The study found, interestingly, that this position works best when the woman supports her upper body by leaning on her elbows, rather than on her hands.)

- Vary an old position. Sometimes small adjustments in a position can make a big difference. The 2014 study mentioned above found that men who had sex in the missionary position experienced less back strain if they supported their upper body with their hands, rather than resting on their elbows.

- Work it out before and after. It helps to prep the sore back before intercourse and soothe it afterwards. For example, applying a nice warm towel to the back beforehand can help relax the muscles; a nice massage afterward can similarly loosen the muscles and ease strain.

Men with back pain of course need some general sex tips that don’t relate to the back. For example, all men should regularly apply a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to keep the manhood healthy and ready for sexual opportunities. Making sure the penis is properly sensitized increases enjoyment of sexual acts, so using a crème with acetyl L carnitine, a neuroprotective ingredient, is key. The crème also needs to include vitamin D, the "miracle vitamin" that supports healthy penile cellular function and aids in fighting disease. A properly cared-for penis will amply reward its owner, whether he suffers from back pain or not.

Sex Positions that are Comfortable with Back Pain

For most couples, sex is an important part of the relationship. When something gets in the way of a rich and vibrant sex life - relationship issues or a health condition, for example - the partnership can suffer. One common chronic condition that affects some couples in the bedroom is lower back pain. When one partner is in pain, she may not be in the mood; making matters worse, the sex act itself can exacerbate pain, making it something that many sufferers avoid often or altogether. According to Statistics Canada, 73% of women with back pain report a significant reduction in sexual activity. What can a man do for his partner - and the relationship - in this situation? For his lady’s comfort, the relationship’s well-being and his own penis health, men with partners in pain can learn what sex positions will put their lovers at ease and restore enjoyment to this wonderful bonding activity.

The Study
Researchers at the University of Waterloo conducted a study in which they analyzed muscle loading and spinal movement in 10 couples who were having intercourse. These couples did the deed in five common positions - two variations of doggy-style, two variations of missionary and, finally, spooning.

The researchers also distinguished between two broad types of lower back pain: flexion-intolerant (made worse when the person bends forward) and extension-intolerant (exacerbated by arching the back). Using the data collected from the muscle loading and spinal movement detections, they determined which positions were likely best and worst for both types of pain.

Best Positions for Flexion-Intolerant Women
Women whose pain is worse when bending forward will likely enjoy the following positions:
- Spooning: This intimate position involves both partners lying on their sides, usually with knees bent to some degree, with the woman’s back pressed up against the man’s chest and stomach.

- Hand-supported doggy-style: Here, the woman is on all fours, and the man enters from behind. Her back is fairly neutral, or slightly arched. The elbow-supported variation of this position is less ideal; women with flexion-intolerant pain will probably be most comfortable supporting themselves with their hands instead.

Worst Positions for Flexion-Intolerant Women
Woman with this type of back pain are not likely to be comfortable in missionary positions.

Best Positions for Extension-Intolerant Women
Women whose pain is exacerbated by arching their backs may be most comfortable in the following positions:

- Missionary (standard): Classic missionary, with the woman lying flat on her back and the man on top, discourages back extension.

- Missionary variation: Similar to standard missionary, the woman lies on her back, but she can flex her hips and knees for a different sensation. Her lower back will be neutral or slightly flexed in this position.

Worst Positions for Extension-Intolerant Woman
 
- Doggy-style: Variations of doggy-style all promote spinal extension.

- Spooning: A woman may be prone to arching her back in this position.

More Hope to Come
The researchers who conducted this study plan to do more research within this field, considering additional types of pain as well as more positions. This means couples whose sex lives have been hindered by chronic pain have a lot to look forward to. Of course, couples can engage in private, non-scientific experimentation in the meantime. Always check in with a partner about comfort levels and preferences.

Along with trying out scientifically-backed sex positions with his partner in pain, a man can improve his sex life by taking good care of his pleasure-maker. A penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil), loaded with vital nutrients, can help support circulatory, nerve and skin health. Shea butter and vitamin E leave the skin smooth, elastic and hydrated. Vitamin A is another key ingredient; it’s antibacterial properties help keep penile odors at bay, making the member far more appealing to one’s partner.

The Erect Penis and Back Pain: Best Sex Positions

An erect penis demands to be satisfied, as every man well knows; unfortunately, sometimes the rest of the body isn't cooperative. For example, sometimes back pain prevents a man from giving his erect penis the kind of partner-based satisfaction that it craves. While adequate penis health can address a number of sexual activity issues, men with back pain will have to take additional measures to get things going in the bedroom.

Back Pain
Many men experience back pain to varying degrees for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes the soreness results simply from using the muscles in the back, or a portion of the back, in a way that is unfamiliar. Other times there may be a more serious reason for the back pain, such as a herniated disc. If a man experiences excruciating back pain, or if a low level of pain persists for an extended period of time, he should pay a visit to his physician to determine the cause and to see if any special treatment may be called for.

Sex Positions
Partner-based sex, as most men know, requires at least a minimum of full-body involvement. In many positions, the man is called upon to forcefully thrust his hips back and forth, an action which may be made difficult if his back is sore or stiff. Therefore, the gentleman whose back is giving him troubles may need to be careful in his choice of sex positions.

Among the positions that he may wish to try are:

- Doggy style. This is the preferred position for men suffering from back pain due to a herniated disc. This makes sense: Back pain tends to be worsened when there is too much range of motion in the lower back. The doggy style allows for the man to kneel while inserting his penis, and he is then essentially forming a straight line from his knees to the top of his head. The hips will thrust during intercourse, but the man's back will not be bent forward, limiting the range of motion required of his spine.

- Spooning. In this position, the man and woman lie on their sides, with the woman's back against the man's front. The knees are bent, which helps to lessen the arch in the man's back, and the penis is inserted from behind. This position is best for people whose backs hurt most went extended (bent backward). It is probably the worst position, though, for men with a herniated disc.

- Woman on top. For many men, placing the woman on top can ease back pain, especially if the male places a small pillow underneath his back.

- Modified missionary. Traditional missionary can place undue strain on the back; however, some men with a sore back find that raising themselves up on their elbows positions them in a way that significantly decreases the pain.

Beyond choosing the appropriate sex position, a man can also prepare himself by applying an ice pack to the sore area or having a nice, sensual massage before engaging in sex. A warm shower (taken with one's partner) can be an especially nice way to loosen up the muscles.

Keeping one's erect penis happy is every man's goal, sore back or no sore back. That's why men also need to pay greater attention to the general health of their tools and should regularly use a top-notch penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). When sifting through the available options, men should make sure that the chosen cream contains L-arginine. This ingredient helps in the production of nitric oxide, which in turn plays a key role in maintaining blood flow to the penis. It's also advisable to find a cream that includes vitamin B5, an essential vitamin that provides a boost for penis cell metabolism.